The English Clubs' Revised Standard – 1898

The skull: should be flat, moderately wide between the ears, and gradually tapering to the eyes. There should be only a slight depression at stop. The width of skull necessarily depends upon the combined length of skull and muzzle, and the whole must be considered in connection with the size of the dog. The cheek should not be full or prominent

The muzzle: should be of fair length tapering to the nose, and must not show weakness or be snipy or lippy. Whatever the colour may be, the nose must be black.

The teeth: should be of good size, sound and level, very slight unevenness is permissible.

The jaws: should be clean cut and powerful.

The eyes: are a very important feature and give expression to the dog; they should be of a medium size, set somewhat obliquely, of almond shape and of brown colour except in the case of "merles", when the eyes are frequently (one or both) blue and white or china; expression full of intelligence, with a quick alert look when listening.

The ears: should be small and moderately wide at the base; and placed not too close together on top of the skull, nor too much to the side of the head. When in repose they should be usually carried thrown back, but when on the alert brought forward and carried semi-erect, with tip slightly drooping in the attitude of listening.

The neck: should be muscular, powerful and of fair length, and somewhat arched.

The body: should be rather long, with well sprung ribs, chest deep, fairly broad behind the shoulders, which should be sloping, loins slightly arched and powerful. The dog should be straight in front.

The forelegs: should be straight and muscular, neither in nor out at elbows, with a fair amount of bone; the forearm somewhat fleshy, the pasterns showing flexibility without weakness.

The hindlegs: should be muscular at the thighs, clean and sinewy below the hocks, with well bent stifles.

The feet: should be oval in shape, soles well padded, and the toes arched and close together. The hind feet less arched, hocks well let down and powerful.

The brush: should be moderately long, carried low when the dog is quiet, with a slight upward "swirl" at the end, and may be gaily carried when the dog is excited, but not over the back.

The coat: should be very dense, the outer coat harsh to the touch, the inner or under coat soft, furry, and very close as almost hide the skin. The mane and frill should be very abundant, the mask or face smooth, as also the ears at the tips, but they should be carry more hair towards the base; the forelegs slightly feathered, the hindlegs above the hocks profusely so, but below the hocks fairly smooth, although all heavily coated collies are liable to grow a slight feathering. Hair on the brush very profuse.

Colour: Immaterial.

General Character: A lithe active dog, his deep chest showing lung power, his neck strength, his sloping shoulders and well bent hocks indicating speed, and his expression high intelligence. He should be fair length on the leg, giving him more of racy than cloddy appearance. In a few words a Collie should show endurance, activity and intelligence, with free and true action.